'Born in Trench Town' screening this month

Born in Trench Town, a documentary about the interwoven social, architectural, and political histories of Jamaica's most famous neighbourhood, will have its screening and press launch of at Redbones Blues Cafe, 1 Argyle Road, on September 12.

The film comprises interviews and scenes of daily contemporary life in Trench Town. Many of the current residents have lived there since the beginning and have witnessed the entire history.

RICH HISTORY

For younger generations, who did not know the community before the violence started, perceptions and life are markedly different. The film traverses from First to Seventh Street through the maze of holes in the walls that separate the yards, created when it was too dangerous to walk on streets, stopping along the way to consider the conditions that created the Trench Town of today.

Junior Lee, a community leader and long time resident, and Jamaican architect Christopher Whyms-Stone who has done extensive research about the history of the architecture of Kingston 12, guide the journey through the streets and history of Trench Town.

This small area has had a large impact on Jamaica. The history of the place is told by its residents, with the intent to give them a voice in the national conversations in the 50th year of the country's Independence.

The film includes interviews with Michael Smith in London, who was the first president of the Trench Town Development Association. Smith was one of several comm-unity members who worked extensively for the betterment of Trench Town and was instrumental in the founding of the Trench Town Culture Yard. After the murder of one of his confidants, Magnus Skeen, Smith fled Jamaica sensing his life was in jeopardy.

Born in Trench Town had its world premiere at the One Love Reggae Festival in the United Kingdom on August 12, 2012 as part of Reggae Films' programme for the event. The documentary received the distinction of Best New Documentary at the festival.